by Rees Lloyd, Attorney
March 29, 2024
March 29, 2024, is the 51st Anniversary of the day in 1973 that America terminated the “U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam” — a/k/a the Vietnam War — and the day the last American troops left Vietnam for home.
March 29, 2024, is also National Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day, by Act of Congress signed into law by former President Donald J. Trump in 2017.
The Vietnam War divided the nation to an extent exceeded only by the Civil War itself, although our present era of mutual political and social animus also appears to be careening toward mutual self-destruction.
While more than nine million Americans served when the country called them to defend the nation of South Vietnam from aggression by Communist North Vietnam led by Ho Chi Minh, anti-war demonstrations involved many thousands who condemned not only the war, but those who were sent to fight it.
This condemnation of those who served in Vietnam by those who never served, led to the nation never to realize that many, many of the American troops engaged in humanitarian acts unprecedented in war.
For that aspect of the Vietnam War, I respectfully refer you to the truth-telling book of Maj. Gen. Patrick Henry Brady, (Ret), Medal Of Honor, Vietnam. He is considered America’s most decorated living veteran.
As a Medical Evacuation helicopter pilot he flew over 2,000 combat missions and rescued more than 5,000 wounded, including enemy wounded. His enlightening book: Dead Men Flying: Victory In Vietnam. The Legend of ‘Dust Off: America’s Battlefield Angels.” (WND Books.)
The Vietnam War was the only war in American history in which those who served and sacrificed in defense of the country were not welcomed home with expressions of thanks for their service.
Instead, many on returning home found themselves the subjects of hate-filled attack, accusations that they were war criminals. Publicly vilified. Shunned in other instances. Even spat upon.
So hate-filled were the anti-war demonstrators that many troops coming home were advised by their officers not to wear their uniforms to avoid verbal attacks, or worse.
More than nine million Americans — many if not a majority of them draftees — served honorably in defense of the nation in the almost twenty years in which the nation was mired in Vietnam, from November, 1955, to April 30, 1975, when Saigon in South Vietnam fell to the Communists of North Vietnam under Ho Chi Minh.
More than 58,000 thousand American troops gave their lives in the Vietnam War. More than 300,000 were wounded. No matter their personal views of the war, they responded when the country called them to serve. In fact and in truth: “All gave some, some gave all.”
Further, it must not be forgotten that while those veterans of Vietnam served —no matter what their personal view might be of the war—so did their families serve, and suffer, in all the nine million Blue Star families who had a loved one in service, and especially the Gold Star families who had a loved one killed in service.
While the modern liberal media is likely to ignore or minimize the importance of Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day, it should not be ignored by a grateful nation.
There will be many observances, especially by veterans, at posts of the American Legion, VFW, and other veterans organizations, which welcome the participation of non-veterans in honoring all who honorably served. Go, welcome the Vietnam Veterans home, and be welcomed by them.
© 2024 Rees Lloyd – All Rights Reserved
E-Mail Rees Lloyd: ReesLloydLaw@gmail.com
